“An exceedingly rare ‘Acriollado’ type of cacao found in one impoverished and isolated area of Ecuador…

06Mar

An exceedingly rare ‘Acriollado’ type of cacao found in one impoverished and isolated area of Ecuador. This cacao has been cultivated for at least 150 years in isolation from Ecuadorian ‘Nacional’ cacao. This is one of the few examples of a truly heirloom cacao, a variety that has been passed down from generation to generation in isolation from introgression. Sadly this term, heirloom cacao, has been repeatedly misused due to ignorance and desire for marketability.
In recent decades this cacao has been cut down and replaced with oil palm and other more productive crops. Even worse, during the last 10 years, free or heavily subsidized CCN-51 trees have been provided for these communities and are quickly gaining traction. Through proximity and cross pollination, the genetic characteristics of the few remaining stands of these trees will be gradually eroded. These farmers never received any economic reward for growing their traditional cacao variety and because it is slower growing and more susceptible to disease, you can hardly blame them for replacing it. Fortunately, we rescued several dozen fruits and have just started seeding these trees for establishment on the Costa Esmeraldas farm. Also, Hawaii Cacao Foundation used its USDA import permit to bring clean, healthy seeds to Hawaii for preservation and propagation in the disease free climate of the islands. Once multiplied, seeds and scion will made available to the public, no hoarding, trademarking, or other unscrupulous practices. Not just talk, marketing buzzwords, or hype – evidence based decisions and action.